Nepal Super League:Players Safety & Health at stake

Amidst the deadly COVID-19 pandemic,the Nepal  Super League being  played  at a breakneck speed  in front of a completely empty Dasharath stadium in Kathmandu has raised a few eyebrows,including yours truly.

The tournament is only two weeks old, unfortunately, there is no respite  in sight for players who have been playing non stop football. 

There is no denying the fact that players have been denied proper  attention, care and rest, jeopardizing their well-being.

Since players are obliged  to play for the franchised teams  during the contractual period,they have no choice but to play regardless.As a consequence,they have  been forced to endure the rigorous of the punishing schedule.

No player  or coach wants  to risk  his career  by  slamming and criticizing the challenging and tough fixture scheduling.

In sports,be it individual or team, it is  very important that athletes are  physically fit so that they can perform at 100 percent.

A ball game like football is extremely demanding that involves high risks and rates  of injury in players.Apart from grinding on the pitch,teams have to prepare for every match, which involves  long hours of workouts,training sessions and so forth.

Research studies have shown that the recovery time for players is minimum 48 hours to 72 hours after every match. 

 

Let us not forget that players are humans not robots.It is common sense that  they require adequate rest  after each match so that they are physically and mentally fit for the next game.

The strenuous packed  fixture  of Nepal Super League is  starting to take a heavy toll on players and managers as they helplessly cope with the demands of a hectic schedule.

We have witnessed teams  playing matches, one after another, in a short space of time without proper  rest and recovery time .

The  brutal schedule  is causing injuries to players right and left. Although  teams  are allowed to make five substitutes  during the course of play, the team roster is  limited to 20 players.To me it is totally  irrelevant because it is not helping  one bit. 

It is getting to the point where players can no longer take.They are mentally and physically less prepared for the challenge and steadily inching  towards the saturation  point, which is a matter of grave concern.

The latest  devastating wave of corona has added fuel to the fire .Players are exposed  despite safety measures in place.They carry the fear of contracting the virus, spiking anxiety and depression in them.

If the country is in a lockdown,what is stopping the government  and the organizer from suspending the tournament? They are deliberately  putting players and coaches at risk. Their safety and health matters now  more than ever.

I am totally flabbergasted that the media outlets in Nepal have chosen to remain silent on the issue,for reasons unknown.

I get the impression that they have little or no concern for players and coaches safety,on and off the pitch. By ignoring they are doing a  great disservice to them

I totally agree that the first ever franchise  based National Football League is by far the most important breakthrough in the history of Nepal Football.The tournament has  my full support.

My  only objection  is the timing of the tournament and the hectic nature of the schedule that   totally defies logic and disregards players and coaches’ health and safety.

I have nothing against  the organizer of  the National Super League, Nepal Sports and Event Management.They deserve every bit of credit for putting together an event of this magnitude.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is responsible for  scheduling the tournament and tournament fixtures without foresight and proper planning.

They did it with the sole intention to get much credit and mileage  out of the  tournament.ANFA President Karma Tesering Sherpa and  his team should feel ashamed of  their actions.